St. Stephen Catholic School
October 30, 2025
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
Apex Fundraiser Obstacle Course
Christmas Card Contest
Spirit Nights
SVDP Food Drive
Volunteer Opportunities
Angels Among Us
Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families.
Are you excited?!! We are! The students are having great fun this week while learning to be leaders. Hopefully, you are hearing things at home like "Scan that code!" and "Share my page!" The prizes seem endless. We've had popsicle parties, pies in the face, and children in PJs. Fourth grade earned their golden ticket today to attend teacher inflatable race next week because they had 100% login for their class! The big prize is getting to Super Soak me. I'm just praying for warm weather. The fundraiser is going very well. The students are excited and I appreciate all your support. Let's continue to Level Up!
The APEX site says we are raising funds for shade on the PK playground and security upgrades. To give you all more details, we have already purchased two awnings along the building for the playground and are researching other options for the open area. For security, we are purchasing two more cameras, making repairs and adjustments to our gates and exterior doors to make them more secure, and possibly replace the bullet-resistant film on the windows where needed. There are also other items that need replacement like picnic tables and soccer goals for the playground as well as chromebooks and iPads for the classroom that this money will help support. It is also being used for the additional security during Mass. Today was the first day I was able to get an off-duty officer for Mass days, and I will continue to make this request.
Thank you to everyone who made our Trunk or Treat a success. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for directing traffic, to all the families that donated extra candy, to our DJ and Deputy, the judges and the volunteers. Special thanks to PTCO and Mrs. Bikus who chaired the event and most important the families who decorated trunks. Well done!
Remember that Friday is a jean day with a Halloween or Fall themed shirt and I hope to see many of you on Tuesday at the Talking Pint for a very special spirit night beginning right after school. See below for details.
Have a wonderful rest of your week!
Peace,
Linda Umoh
Upcoming Events
October 31 - Marvelous Mustang @8am
October 31 - Halloween Fall Shirt and Jean Day
November 3-10 - SVDP Food Drive
November 4 - End of Trimester I
November 7 - NO SCHOOL
November 7 - Report Card Day
November 8-9 - Holy Card Uniform Weekend
November 10 - Holy Card Free Dress
November 14 - Spirit Shirt and Jeans Day
November 14 - Level Up Apex Fundraiser @8am
November 14 -NOON DISMISSAL
November 20 - Class Pictures
November 24-28 - Thanksgiving Holiday Break
December 1 - Classes Resume
December 1-5 - Wonderland Shop
The 2025 SSCS Christmas Card Contest is Here!
Calling all student artists:
All students are invited to participate in the annual SSCS Christmas Card Contest. Card designs should reflect the seasons of Advent or Christmas and the birth of our Lord. Students should use a plain white 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. The winning design will be printed on Christmas cards sent out by the school to individuals and schools throughout the Diocese. The student will also receive a set of 25 cards with their design to send to family and friends. All submissions should be students' original artwork and should include the student’s name and grade written on the back in pencil. Designs must be submitted to the front office by Thursday, Nov. 6th. Drawings sent in after that date/time will not be considered.
SVDP Can Food Drive
November 3 - 10
Please help those in need in our community by donating
one or two cans of food. The St Vincent de Paul Pantry
located on our parish campus services many families each week. Your donations make a difference and are another way to teach our children kindness.
Donations will be collected in each classroom.
The FACTS Grant and Aid application setup for the 2026-2027 school year is complete. Applications and documents received after May 1, 2026 are considered late for initial consideration.
All Diocesan High Schools utilize the FACTS Grant & Aid Application in the determination of in-house tuition assistance and the Catholic School Tuition Aid Grant (CSTAG). Additionally, all elementary/middle school families are required to submit their financial documents via the FACTS Grant & Aid Application, unless your school is a "community eligible" school.
Note: Pricing for the 2026-2027 FACTS Grant & Aid Application Fee will remain the same at $38.00.
Resource for Families:
Diocesan aid is limited. Applications received after the initial consideration deadline of May 1, 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year will be subject to a reduced rate, provided that funds are still available. Appeals are to be made directly to the school.
Mustang Christmas Gifts
For a very limited time, Mustang Christmas gifts are available to help Santa suprise every good SSCS boy and girl . Please use the link below to order before 11/11 in order to get delivery before Christmas. Proceeds benefit the PTCO.
Christmas Gift Link
Christmas Gift Link
ANGELS OUTREACH SERVICE PROJECT
First Responders Day- October 28
Thank you 1st thru 5th graders and their teachers for the creative posters honoring our First Responders. School parents who are nurses, police and firemen will deliver the student's posters to their work place to be displayed in time for First Responders Day on October 28. This is a time for us to recognize the dedication and sacrifice First Responders do to keep us safe.
Thank you 1st thru 5th graders and their teachers for the creative posters honoring our First Responders. School parents who are nurses, police and firemen will deliver the student's posters to their work place to be displayed in time for First Responders Day on October 28. This is a time for us to recognize the dedication and sacrifice First Responders do to keep us safe.
We appreciate all our many parents, parishioners and friends in the community who are First Responders.
Angels Gala Cruise for Cause Video
Click the link HERE to see the video.
Class Craft from 8B is Amazing!
Thanks to Classroom Mom Lori for creating a thoughtful heart and hand keepsake of our 8B students. This beautifully framed photo will be available for bidding in January during the pre gala silent auction.
We appreciate all the efforts of parents, teachers and students for their contribution to the success of our 2026 Angels Among Us Gala and Fundraiser.
An Angels First
Class Craft Bidding open to All The Families prior to the Gala
Excitement Begins 1/15
Class Crafts are always a highlight of the Angels Gala Fundraiser. In the past, bidding on the crafts was only available to gala guests at the gala. This year, class crafts will be available for viewing on 1/15 in the school and online bidding will begin. The bidding will continue through the weekend and close on Wednesday, 1/21 at 8 AM. Additional pre gala “experiences” will also be offered for bidding. More details will be available the week prior to the bidding. Raffle tickets for a chance to win a seat reservation will be sold during this bidding frenzy.
Special Thank You to Class Room Moms and all who contributed with their time and generous donations.
Special Thank You to Class Room Moms and all who contributed with their time and generous donations.
This Meeting is required for only Lead and Senior-qualified altar servers only (Look for separate invite email)
Please review your Altar Server Guide, link below.
Altar Server Guide Link
Joke of the Week!
What position does the ghost play in soccer?
See answer way below.
Mustang Sports
Boys Track: The track teams have another week of practice before the first events. The first running and relay meet is Saturday, November 8, at Tampa Catholic, from 8:00-11:30 am. The first field event meet is Tuesday, November 11, at Christ the King from 4:00-5:45 pm, where the boys will participate in the discus, varsity shot put, long jump and high jump.
Girls Basketball: The girls basketball teams have a week of practice left before games start on Monday, November 10, against Villa Madonna, at Villa Madonna. Varsity at 4:00 pm and the JV at 5:00 pm.
Please see the Athletics webpage for the complete 2025 girls basketball game schedule, and the boys track meet schedule.
Coach Green is looking for parent volunteer coaches for the girls varsity flag football team. The girls flag football season runs from January through mid-March. Any parent interested in coaching should contact Coach Green @ ggreen@sscsfl.org
GO MUSTANGS!
Coach Green
Gulf Coast Catholic is a print and digital evangelizing magazine and news website of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Click here to learn more and to subscribe.
PK-3 needs cleaned, empty
16 oz Jif Peanut Butter jars.
Kiddos Lunches
Homeroom Moms
Homeroom moms now have dedicated email addresses. Add them to your contact list and check your junk mailboxes to be sure you do not miss any important classroom information!
Emails for HomeRoom Moms
Answer to the Joke!
Ghoul-keeper
Safe Environment Training and Fingerprints
Everyone needs updated safe environment training and fingerprints in order to volunteer in the school or to chaperone a field trip. Safe environment and fingerprints are good for 5 years. Attached here are the instructions on how to get your safe environment certificate and to have your fingerprints done. If you have any questions please contact Karen Biase at kbiase@sscsfl.org or call the front office at ext. 1100. Click the link for information here regarding fingerprints. Click for the live link here. For the safe environment click here for the live link .
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Mission Statement
St. Stephen Catholic School is devoted to inspiring students to achieve their full academic potential while demonstrating a desire to continue Jesus' mission by applying Catholic morals, beliefs, values, and practices in their everyday lives. We are committed to motivating students to sustain a lifelong love of learning.